BO SULLIVAN
Name: Bo Sullivan
Address: 54 Barrister Circle
Occupation: Chief Advancement Officer at Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield
What experience and qualifications do you have that would be an asset to city schools?
I have been a member of the school committee for approximately one year. In that time, we have approved a balanced budget, started the process of building a new elementary school, and worked with the individual schools to help them get the resources they need to best educate our students. Also, as a father, I have had two daughters go through the Westfield Public Schools system, and they are doing very well in college.
What are your main concerns for the schools and how do you hope to address them?
My main concern for the schools is to make sure that educators have the resources available for the best education possible for our students while living within our means. Additionally, I want to make sure that we can provide a positive learning environment for all Westfield students. In particular, I want to focus on classroom sizes and athletic facilities outside of buildings. How we handle these issues is working with school administrators, educators, parents, and students to help come up with creative solutions. There is only so much money to go around—we need a unique approach to accomplish our goals.
What do you consider the most successful recent project/program in the school system?
One of the most recent successful school programs is the Westfield Education 2 Business Alliance (WE2BA), which is a collaboration between the Westfield Public Schools and the Westfield Chamber of Commerce. This is a program where local business leaders come into the classroom and give students advice regarding future career development and leadership. This is an instance of a unique approach to providing a positive learning environment by connecting Westfield’s local business owners and our students.
What project/program needs to be a priority in Westfield’s schools?
I feel the project that needs to be a priority for the Westfield Public Schools is the modernization of the buildings themselves. Currently, we are in the process of either building a new or renovating the Franklin Avenue School. We need to follow this process through to a positive conclusion. The two schools that would be combined, Franklin Ave and Abner Gibbs, are both approximately one hundred years old. It is necessary for our students and educators to have up-to-date schools in order to accomplish the goals we set for them. There are other schools in the city that are next in line, specifically Westfield High School, that need to be updated. Most importantly, we should fight for what is best for our students.
Why should residents vote for you?
I feel the residents of Westfield should vote for me because I have a proven track record of hard work, dedication, and commitment to the Westfield Public Schools. In the year that I have been on the school committee, I have proven my hard work by passing a budget that did not ask the taxpayers of Westfield for one more dime than the previous year. I also have an extensive record of community involvement by coaching numerous youth sports, volunteering for the Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA, Noble Hospital, the Westfield Children’s Museum, and many other organizations around town. My commitment to the people of Westfield is to continue the hard work and common sense approach that I have shown for the last year. I hope you will reward me with your vote.
What would you consider your achievements as a member of School Committee?
As a member of the school committee, my achievements include keeping the budget in line with no additional taxpayer dollars, starting the process to build a new or renovate the current Franklin Avenue school, extending the current Superintendent’s contract, re-vamping and simplifying certain policies, prioritizing safety in schools, and providing leadership for the school department. I would like to build on these achievements for the next four years. I would appreciate your vote on November 5th.
